RUTH DAY TWENTY TWO
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[start with a moment to step out of your thoughts and life and into the presence of God]
Lord, as I enter your presence now I take a moment to pause and to be still….
….to breath slowly and to re-centre my scattered thoughts and senses upon You.
…. Speak to me I pray, and fill me with your Holy Spirit afresh this day.
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Take time to read through and reflect on the passage. Don’t rush it but be open to God speaking to you as you read.
What did God say to you through this passage? Why don’t you pop it in the chat to encourage others?
Devotional reflection: Names have been really important in this book so far. Elimelech meaning “God is king”; Naomi meaning “pleasant” ; Marra meaning “bitter"; Mahlong meaning “sickness”; Chilion meaning “wasting”; Ruth meaning “friend”; Boaz meaning “in him is strength”.
However, we get to Ruth 4 and the guardian-redeemer is not named. Here in the NIV it is translated as “friend”; however, in the Hebrew it is more ambiguous than that. A better way to translate it could be “so-and-so” or “no-name”. The literal Hebrew means “such and such” or “certain one”.
The author of Ruth has been so intentional with other names, but here a key person in the story is not named. Boaz certainly would have known his relative’s name, especially in such a small town, this person would not have been unknown. The point is, that this man passed on his redeemer duties. He decided that to marry Ruth would put at risk his own name being passed on and remembered. This is a poetic justice. Later in this chapter, we will see that the line of Ruth leads to David and ultimately Jesus. Ruth and Boaz’s names are recorded for all of history, and it starts with Boaz seeking to be a man of character and do the right thing.
Today, am I seeking to make a name for myself, or am I choosing to humble myself and do what is right? The kingdom of God shows that the way up is always down.
Philippians talks about how Jesus humbled himself for our sake to death on a cross. He was given the name above all names because of His actions. We are called to follow in His ways and remain humble servants of God for the glory of His name, not ours.
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Prayerfully reflect how this passages applies to your life. Ask God to speak to you now
GROW people prayer:
Holy Spirit, it can be so easy to fall into the trap of pride. To not take action on things that are hard because of my own reputation. Please give me the courage today to remain humble. To put you front and centre. Help me to glorify Your name.
GO People prayer:
Lord, as I look at our world today I see much evidence of people making a name for themselves. Seeking to put their own desires for pleasure and power above Yours for this world. I pray today that You would humble the arrogant and elevate the humble that You may get the glory.
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Take a look at the passage again. Take time to see if there is a word or phrase that the Holy Spirit reveals to you as a focus for your day today.
What has the Lord revealed to you? What will you take into your day today? What action is He asking you to take? Take a moment to pray a yielding prayer along these lines to the Lord today.
Prayer for today: Lord, thank you for speaking to me to day. Give me courage to obey your word and yield to your Holy Spirit. I take seriously your leading today and seek to put your word into practice in my life through action today. Amen.